Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone | Commanders and Soldiers pay their last respects during the memorial service in honor...... read more read more
by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone
138th MPAD
TAL AFAR, Iraq (Sept. 15, 2006) - - Commanders and Soldiers from several Forward Operating Bases in northern Iraq came together to remember Capt. Matthew C. Mattingly, aviation pilot, Troop A (Roughnecks), 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment.
While flying his Kiowa Attack helicopter in support of ground troops in Mosul, Iraq, Mattingly was struck and killed by enemy small-arms fire.
Mattingly was a native of Columbus, Ohio. He was commissioned as a U.S. Army officer after graduating from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
Following his commission, Mattingly attended the Aviation Officer's Basic Course, the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Advanced Qualification Course at Fort Rucker, Ala.
His first assignment as an aviation officer was as Attack Platoon Leader in 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment (Attack), 25th Infantry Division (Light) at the Unit Fielding Training Program, Fort Hood, Texas. Later, the unit moved to Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, where he continued to serve as platoon leader and then as the assistant (S3) training officer.
He deployed with his unit to Bosnia-Herzegovina to support SFOR-11. After the Bosnia-Herzegovina rotation, he attended the Aviation Captains Career Course at Fort Rucker, Ala. Followed by the Joint Firepower Controllers Course at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
Mattingly reyurned to Fort Hood, Texas and was soon deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 with 1st Sqdn, 10th Cav, 4th ID (Mechanized) as the S3 officer.
Shortly after returning from Iraq, 1st Sqdn, 10th Cav was de-activated. Mattingly was transferred to Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served as Regimental Aviation Officer for the 505th Parachute Inf. Rgt., 82nd Airborne Div. During his time with the 82nd he served as the direct assistant to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade Commander during Task Force Katrina.
On Dec. 15, 2005, Mattingly took command of Company A (Red Wolves), 1st Bn (Attack), 82nd Avn. Rgt. On Jan. 6, 2006, the Red Wolves were re-designated to the Roughnecks of Trp. A, 1st Sqdn, 17th Cav. Rgt. Mattingly once again deployed his unit to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in July, 2006,
"I remember when we were at the Joint Reserve Training Center, Fort Polk, [La.] and there where strong thunderstorms coming into the area. Capt. Mattingly had gotten about one hour of sleep and he woke up to get to the flight line to secure the rotors on his aircraft," said friend and fellow aviator, Chief Warrant Officer Michael Leoni. "When he got to the door of his room he had on his helmet, a pair of boxer shorts, one boot and one shower shoe. I looked at him and said, 'go back to bed, sir, we got this one'...in closing I want to say go ahead, go home sir, we've got this one."
Other speakers that presented a memorial tribute were Lt. Col. Michael Pyott, commander, 17th Cav. Rgt. and Chief Warrant Officer Michael Zanders, aviator, Trp. A, 1st Sqdn, 17th Cav. Rgt.
Mattingly's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service medal, the NATO medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary medal, the Humanitarian Service medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Senior Army Aviators Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Army Air Assault Badge.
Mattingly posthumously was awarded the Bronze Star medal, the Air medal with Valor, the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.
His father, Dennis L. Mattingly of Beaver Creek, Ohio, his mother, Randi L. Mattingly of Columbus, Ohio, his sister, Michelle Mattingly of Winchester, Ohio and his fiancée, Capt. Alicia Burke of Elgin Air Force Base, Fla, survives him.
| Date Taken: | 09.15.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2006 11:57 |
| Story ID: | 7784 |
| Location: | TAL AFAR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 326 |
| Downloads: | 57 |
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